If you missed it, one of my reading goals for 2025 is to focus on non-fiction history and biography books written by women! (It is shocking that in 2025, there is still such a strong gender gap in publishing.) So, I was of course thrilled this past week to get the notification that it was out. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Gray’s other books as a food historian, and I knew that she would be well-placed to tackle the topic of the high-street. Spoiler alert: there was zero disappointment! For this week’s Book Bite, we have The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker by Annie Gray! 
The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street, Annie Gray
What makes a high street? It’s certainly not just about the shopping; these thoroughfares are often the beating heart of our towns and cities and, by extension, of the people who use them. As spaces where local life and culture unfolds, our high streets can be playgrounds of personal indulgence and community spirit, or sites of contentious debate and politicking.
Historian Annie Gray takes us down the street and through the ages, from medieval marketplaces to the purpose-built concrete precincts of the twentieth century. Peeping through the windows of tailors, tearooms and grocers, we explore everything from the toyshops of yesteryear – where curiosities were sold for adults, not children – to the birth of brands we shop at today.
Vibrant and enticing, The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker is an essential reflection on how we shopped and lived in days gone by – and what the future may bring.
Why You Should Read This…
I knew immediately upon seeing the title and author that I would love this book, but it was still better than expected!
The high street literally looms large in cities, towns, and villages in the UK, but has undergone significant changes in the last few decades. However, the changes go back much further than that, and I think that Gray follows that long-term evolution perfectly. She looks at the changes for both the customer and the seller, which I found particularly interesting- they are both integral pieces to the puzzle that factor into retail to this day.
I also loved that Gray looked at many different high streets across the UK. Sure, many historians would have focused on one or two as a case study but the huge range in geography kept the book all the more interesting. (Shout-out to Bath, York, and the other high streets I’ve actually wandered down!)
My only tiny qualm is that the significant changes in the last 5-10 years are barely touched on. While it is debatable whether or not 2020-2022ish “counts” as history yet, given that this is not an academic book, I would have liked a discussion! However, still fantastic!
Also, continuing on in the trend of historians recording their own audiobooks, Gray has done the narration for this and it could not have been more perfect. Not only did she voice sources well (so it’s clear when it is someone’s actual words), her passion and knowledge clearly shines through.
Is
The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker
by Annie Gray on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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